Corvette Esmeralda

Chilean corvette "Esmeralda" who faced Peruvian Monitor "Huascar" at Iquique port (Peruvian port at that time) in may 21st 1879 during the Pacific War. She was very old and slow, often used as a cargo ship. Was left in Iquique by the Chilean armada convoy alongside the "Covadonga" schooner during the assault operation on "El Callao" port on the north. The peruvian president heard about 2 small ships holding Iquique's port blockade and ordered commanders Grau (Huascar) and More (Independencia) to capture or destroy them. They went south from Arica and because of the fog both naval forces didn't see each other when the Chilean covoy were traveling north (Chilean Ironclad ships "Cochrane" and "Blanco Encalada" alongside other ships had the mission to face the Peruvian armada at "El Callao's" port but never happened).

On may 21st both Huascar and Independencia arrived at Iquique and attacked both chilean ships. Esmeralda, under captain Arturo Prat's command stayed at the port and held the defense (as it was too slow to maneuver) while the smaller Covadonga with captain Carlos Condell went south. Peruvian ironclad Independencia started the pursuit of the Covadonga while Huascar attacked Esmeralda. Having no chance against the armored ship, captain Prat stood and gave fight until he and many of his officers and soldiers died, and the Esmeralda sank after Huascar's third ram attack. He and most part of the crew died a hero's death, and never surrendered, being remember to this day for their valor.

Wiki about Esmeralda: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chilean_corvette_Esmeralda

Wiki about the battle: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Iquique